A charity which provides horseriding as therapy for children suffering from physical, mental and behavioural difficulties, has been given backing by staff at a Bolton company.

The 270-strong workforce of Debtmatters in Aspinall Way, Middlebrook, raised £600 for the Cumbria-based Eden Riding for the Disabled Group, by raffling a signed Bolton Wanderers football shirt.

Debtmatters' human resources manager, Julie Ratcliffe, is a volunteer for the group and regularly helps children at Inglewood Equestrian Centre in Penrith, which is part of the national Riding for the Disabled Association.

Julie said: "Disabled children respond well to being involved in a fun, physical, therapeutic activity through their interaction with the horses which instils confidence and to helps the children learn through play as well as providing mental and physical stimulation."

The Eden Group, for children of primary school age, provides riding opportunities for disabled children from three specialist units.